The Chargers made the decision to cut ties with tight end Antonio Gates last Friday. The move was tough for fans to soak in as Gates has been a favorite among the franchise after being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2003 out of Kent State. For TE Hunter Henry, he realizes that he will have big shoes to fill taking over for the future Hall of Famer.

“When I came in, it can be an intimidating thing when you come into that situation — a Hall of Famer, first ballot, and one of the greatest tight ends of all time [playing with you]. So, it can be intimidating, but he took me under his wing and taught me everything he could these past two years,” Henry said, per Los Angeles Times’ Dan Woike.

The 2016 second-round pick was selected when Gates’ production began to regress, and he has seen nothing but success in his first two seasons from being under his wing. Henry was a red hot until a lacerated kidney occurred on Week 15 against the Chiefs and cost him the rest of the 2017 season. He still managed to amass for 45 receptions, 579 yards and four touchdowns.

Los Angeles signed TE Virgil Green in March to fill in the hole and to serve as the No. 2 on the depth chart behind Henry and will be a reliable blocker in the running game.

With the former Arkansas product healthy and running again with the knowledge that his mentor left behind, Henry is ready for his expanded role heading into the 2018 season and beyond.